A-level and vocational success in Hampshire

Friday, 15 August 2014

The ten thousand post-16 students studying at Hampshire's colleges and sixth forms are celebrating their success following the release of this year's results for A-level examinations and vocational qualifications.

Provisional results reported so far by the colleges, school sixth forms and training providers indicate that the post-16 students have been successful again this year with 97% achieving the Level 3 standard of two or more A*-E grades at A Level, or the vocational equivalent. This is a three percentage point improvement on last year's result of 94%, compared with 92% nationally.

Results also show that 24% of A-level grades in Hampshire were A* or A - an improvement of 1% from 2013, against a declining picture nationally. The overall A-level pass rate has been maintained at 98% (A*-E) - the same as the national figure for 2014.

The County Council retains a responsibility for the outcomes achieved by young people to the age of 18 (age 25 years in the case of young people with learning disabilities) and supports Hampshire's post-16 providers in continuing to offer such a wide range of high-quality education and training opportunities. As well as A-level and Vocational Diplomas, students across the county studied for a range of other qualifications including AS level and Foundation Level qualifications.

Commenting, Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Education, said: "On behalf of Hampshire County Council, I would like to congratulate all post-16 students in Hampshire on their success. Provisional results suggest that we can celebrate another excellent year for post-16 outcomes across the county, with an improvement in both A-level and vocational results.

"Whilst A-levels remain the 'gold standard' for 18 year olds, in terms of academic achievement, the importance of vocational examinations should not be overlooked, and students' vocational achievements should be celebrated in equal measure. This is especially relevant as more students look to start their careers at the age of 18, rather than automatically heading to university.

"This has benefits not only for them, but also for the local communities in which they live and work - ensuring those communities can prosper and remain vibrant and make a contribution to the overall wealth and prosperity of the country.

"This summer's results are once more, a reflection of both the hard work of students and the high quality post-16 education and training sector that we have in Hampshire. I wish to acknowledge and thank the many excellent teaching and support staff in our colleges and school sixth forms who, along with parents and carers, work so hard to support students to achieve."